How the annual conference has changed

In 2000 - 2001, there was a task force to look at the Annual Conference.  As I member of that Task Force, I remember us studying the conference schedules, gathering input from members, and looking for ways of implementing suggestions/ideas as well as finding ways of using the time -- we all spend at the conference -- better. 

In the last couple of years, conference attendees has seen small changes both as a result of the Task Force and the locations we have used.  For example, the conference in New York City (2003) used three locations, which required sessions to be spaced differently (time-wise).  Conference planners have been collaborating more in hopes of stemming the tide of the ever-growing number of concurrent sessions.  And in Toronto (2005), the annual business meeting began on Tuesday evening, as a way of ensuring that enough time was allotted for discussion.  That change even shocked me at first!  (Note that I don't see the business meeting on Tuesday evening this year, perhaps do to a lack of business that needs our attention.)

This year, the first keynote speaker is on Sunday evening.  This is definitely an idea that the Task Force came up with.  Why?  Most conference attendees arrive on the weekend, so could we do more with the time on Sunday?  Could we start the conference on Sunday to give attendees more bang for their buck?  The answer was "yes."  So, this year there are not only continuing education sessions on Sunday and Info-Expo hours, but also the keynote by Gwen Ifill as part of the opening session (6:00 - 8:00 p.m.).

It will be interesting to see how this change goes over with attendees.  I hope it is seen as a positive, although it may take a little getting used to.  One positive -- besides giving us something else to do on Sunday -- is that it allows more time on Monday for conference sessions, since the rule had been to not offer anything opposite the keynote.

And while you are looking at the conference program, be sure to not the time change this year on Wednesday's general session (Walt Mossberg), which will include the State of the Association report.  (This is not described as the annual business meeting and perhaps there is no business for us to attend to this year.  Changed 5/17/2006: The Annual Business meeting this year is Tuesday morning from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m.)

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